April262016

Thirty years ago, US anti-FGM campaigner Assetou Syrefused to cut her daughter. Decades later in New York, another battle began

For those who do not know her, Ban Soon-taek is a quiet first lady, married to the secretary general of the United Nations but rarely vocal on global issues. She showed another side, as a champion of human rights equalling her more famous husband, at a recent event on ending female genital mutilation (FGM).

Her ringing call to “end harmful traditional practices and unleash the power of young girls” came on at an event organised in the margins of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York on 18 April. She thanked participants for endeavouring to “change a harmful tradition into an empowering mission”.

Mutilation would have been a terrible violation of our daughter's rights

April132016

Despite the physical horrors of FGM, why does it prevail? Hilary Burrage explains how often women are left with the worst of choices in the world’s poorest communities

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is big business. It’s trans-global and sometimes organised by centuries-old formal agencies, on a for-profit basis. Like most other efficient businesses, it markets itself as in the interest of the consumer, into whose lifestyle expectations it is firmly embedded.

These observations imply no disrespect for the immense suffering which FGM causes. Across the globe there are probably 200 million women and girls now alive who have experienced (and survived) FGM.

March222016

In The Gambia renowned hardliner Imam Fatty admitted that FGM is not a religious obligation – this is progress

As someone who comes from a very conservative Muslim household, one of my biggest struggles has been trying understand the link between Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Islam. My father is an Imam and growing up I always heard my family refer to FGM as sunna. Even though sunna is not an obligation, it is a favoured action in Islam.

August102015

What happens when you don’t get the grades you want? Share your positive stories of life after your disappointing exam results

Not everyone finds themselves jumping in the air on exam results day for an enthusiastic newspaper photographer. While some students receive the grades they want, others will be more than disappointed.

A levels and GCSEs are great markers in our lives, with the former signalling the end of thirteen years of school education. There is a lot to celebrate. But for those of us who don’t make the grades it can be hard to see a way forward.

July132015

With rental prices in London rising five times faster than tenant pay, we want to hear your experiences of renting in the capital

Private renters in London face soaring costs with the shortage in housing, and a host of other factors, pushing up prices everywhere. Renters find it difficult to get on the ladder and workers are pushed further and further from the centre of the capital.